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DOWNTOWN
POST NYC 
 
News and Events
in Lower Manhattan
 
 
Volume 1, No. 87  July 4, 2014

IN THIS ISSUE

Quote of the day:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." - Declaration of Independence, In Congress, July 4, 1776 

* July 4 traffic, pedestrian and street closure information
* Bits & Bytes: Debris rains from Brooklyn Bridge; 80 Broad St. bonanza
* Letter to the editor: Unclaimed dog found in Battery Park City
* July 4 update: Things to do, places to go
* Calendar

Holiday weather: For July 4, the prediction is light rain, clearing by evening. Saturday and Sunday, July 5 and 6, are predicted to be sunny. For up-to-date weather, click here.

For breaking news, go to www.DowntownPostNYC.com

Bowling Green Park, where the Declaration of Independence was first read to the citizens of New York City on July 9, 1776.  June 29, 2014. (Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer)


 

JULY 4 TRAFFIC, PEDESTRIAN AND STREET CLOSURE INFORMATION

Fireworks, July 4, 2013. (Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer)

The New York City Police Department has announced street closures for the Macy's Annual Fireworks Display over the East River on July 4. The fireworks will start at about 9:20 p.m. and end at 9:50 p.m. The Police Department would like to remind spectators that no large backpacks, lawn chairs, lawn blankets, umbrellas, large coolers or alcoholic beverages will be allowed in the viewing area. All restricted items are subject to search and/or seizure.

 

Drivers are advised to use public transportation and avoid the following locations between 2 p.m. and 2 a.m. 

 

Traffic Closures 

FDR Highway in both directions from Battery Park Underpass to Houston Street from 4 p.m. until 1 a.m., July 5, or until cleanup is complete.

South Street in both directions from Montgomery to State Streets from 4 p.m. until 1 a.m., July 5, or until cleanup is complete.

Front Street from Old Slip to Dover Street from 4 p.m. until 1 a.m., July 5, or until cleanup is complete.

Eastbound Brooklyn Bridge traffic from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m., July 5, or until cleanup is complete. This includes walkways on the Bridge.

Westbound Brooklyn Bridge traffic from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m., July 5, or until cleanup is complete. This includes walkways on the Bridge.

 

Viewing Areas

Beginning at 4 p.m. spectators may gain access to the public viewing sections on the elevated portions of the FDR drive. This location offers an unobstructed view of the sky above the East River from the access points listed below. Access points will be closed as viewing areas fill up. Spectators will then be redirected to open access points as appropriate:
  •        Montgomery and South Streets - from the North  (viewing along the FDR between Manhattan Bridge and Montgomery Street)
  •        Brooklyn Bridge entry from St. James Place (Pearl Street) and Wagner Place (viewing both north and south of the Brooklyn Bridge)
  •        Broad Street and/or Old Slip at Water Street (viewing between Downtown Heliport and south side of Brooklyn Bridge)
  •        Murray Bertraum High School track and field facility - at the base of the Manhattan Bridge entrance at Market and Cherry Streets

Spectators are reminded that dogs are not permitted in the spectator pens.  

 

Flyovers

In addition to the fireworks, at approximately 8 p.m. on Friday evening, subject to weather conditions, NYPD Aviation Unit helicopters will fly over the East River between the Verrazano Bridge and the Williamsburg Bridge.


 The Paris Cafe | 119 South Street | 212.240.9797 | thepariscafeNYC.com | @theparisnyc

Bits & Bytes
DEBRIS RAINS FROM BROOKLYN BRIDGE; 80 BROAD ST. BONANZA  
Brooklyn Bridge. (Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer)

"Sheltering in Storm, Family Must Flee as Debris Rains From Brooklyn Bridge," New York Times, 7/3/14. "With his family taking shelter from a powerful storm under the Brooklyn Bridge on Wednesday evening, Jerome Dilligard darted out into the streets of the Dumbo neighborhood to retrieve their car," says The New York Times. "When he returned a few moments later, all he could see where his family had stood was a mound of gray rubble. Part of the facade of a wall near the bridge's pedestrian entrance had crumbled to the ground, raining chunks of stone and dust on his wife, his 8-year-old daughter, his 30-year-old daughter and his two grandchildren. For a moment, he despaired of rescuing them from beneath the debris. Then he saw his wife, Teresa Dilligard, who, though stunned, managed to tell him that the rest of the family had narrowly escaped being engulfed and had fled across the street - though not before his 4-month-old granddaughter, Kiarra, had fallen out of her baby carriage." For the complete article, click here.

"Realty Check: 80 Broad St. scores a triple," New York Post, 6/30/14. "Reflecting the momentum in downtown's commercial market, 80 Broad St. is selling for more than three times what its current owner paid three years ago," says the New York Post. "Broad Street Development, led by Raymond Chalmé and Daniel Blanco, has a 'hard' contract to buy the 36-story, 430,000 square-foot, Art Deco-detailed prewar office property from Savanna Investment Fund for $175 million - in the low $400s a square foot. Savanna took control of 80 Broad St. in 2011, when it purchased the senior mortgage at a 12 percent discount on its $75 million face value." For the complete article, click here.

Classes at the Community Center at Stuyvesant High School: This is the time to register for yoga, summer tennis and babysitter's training classes at the Stuyvesant High School Community Center, 345 Chambers St. Babysitter's training is a two-day course for 11 to 15 year olds, run by the American Red Cross and offered on July 17 and 18 from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Graduates receive a certificate. Space is limited. $100; $75 (Community Center members). Yoga classes are offered on Mondays from July 28 to Sept. 22, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. The instructor, Molly Heron, has practiced Hatha Yoga for more than 25 years and teaches at the Integral Yoga Institute in Greenwich Village. $144; $128 (Community Center members); $20, (drop ins). Summer tennis is for 8 to 14 year olds at all levels of experience and ability. The course runs from July 21 to Aug. 8 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. $450 (for nine sessions); $60 (drop ins). For more information or to register, call (646) 210-4292. Click here for more information.

Letter to the Editor
UNCLAIMED DOG FOUND NEAR CHAMBERS AND WARREN STREETS

To the editor:
Yesterday, the Battery Park City PEP officers found a beautiful male beagle, about 5 years old,
between Chambers and Warren Streets near Hudson River Park.  He seems to be looking for his owner. We have him in a foster situation, but only temporarily.

The dog had a microchip from overseas, but it was never registered so there is no owner information or the dog's name available. We think the dog is from the Tribeca area, but any help getting this dog reunited with his owner would be great.

Anyone with information about this dog should call the Battery Park City PEP office and ask for Capt. Falcon (212-417-3100) or message Amsterdog at (917) 689 8414.

Deb Dilorio
Amsterdog


 

July 4 update
GOVERNORS ISLAND OPEN ON JULY 4; FREE KAYAKING ON PIER 26;
MUSIC AND FOOD AT THE PARIS CAFE; PECK SLIP OPEN
An eagle donated to the Waterfront Museum Barge by the Schatz family, who ran a marina and repair yard in Brooklyn. (Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer)

If you don't yet have plans for July 4 and the weekend, here are some possibilities:

Spend your July 4 holiday on Governors Island: Visitors can borrow a free bike through the Free Bike Mornings program and enjoy the new 30-acre park, great views of the Statue of Liberty and many free programs and events such as "Roadside Attraction," Third Rail Projects' dance-theater piece set outside in Nolan Park in a 1970's camper. Watch an open rehearsal on Saturday or see the performances on Sunday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. While in Nolan Park, also visit the New York Historical Society's exhibit, "The Civil War and New York City," opening July 4, or participate in a workshop at the Brooklyn ARTery house. Then head to Colonels Row to watch the World Cup Quarter Finals in Spontaneous Interventions' pop-up living room with food available from the island's many vendors. You can also take a free kayak out on the water at Pier 101 or bring your children to enjoy free hands-on art with the Children's Museum of the Arts.

Governors Island is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 4, with extra ferries running every half hour. The Island is not open for fireworks viewing. Due to harbor closures, ferry service on July 4 will run between Governors Island and Manhattan only. On Saturday and Sunday, the Island will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and ferries will run as they normally do on weekends, from both Manhattan and Brooklyn. There is a $2 round trip fare for adults and children over the age of 12. There is no fare on the 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. ferries from Manhattan on Saturdays and Sundays. There is also no fare on the 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. ferry from Brooklyn on Saturdays and Sundays. These ferries are free to all.

For full ferry schedules from Manhattan and Brooklyn, click here.

Go kayaking at Pier 26: After being closed for around nine years, the Downtown Boathouse's long-awaited reopening on Pier 26 (North Moore Street on the Hudson River) will take place on July 4. The Downtown Boathouse is staffed by volunteers and all kayaking is free. The hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information about the Downtown Boathouse, click here.

What's happening on and near Peck Slip: The western portion of Peck Slip will be open for fireworks viewing. There are no public lavatory facilities there, but there is public seating on the granite blocks surrounding the plaza.

Cowgirl Sea-Horse at 259 Front St., has rented two port-a-potties.

All of the restaurants belonging to the Old Seaport Alliance will be open. For a list of them and their locations, click here.

The Howard Hughes Corporation is providing attendants, maps, and information about the South Street Seaport district, as well as extra security to help guide people through the neighborhood, including the Old Seaport (from Fulton Street to Dover Street). The intention is to help reduce bottlenecks and to help with access to the FDR and to the businesses in the area. Howard Hughes is also hosting a First Aid/EMT station with an attached break facility for NYPD and emergency personnel.

Music and special food at The Paris Cafe: The Paris Cafe at 119 South St. is about as close to the Brooklyn Bridge as you can get without falling into the East River. The Paris Cafe is celebrating July 4 with music and menu specials. Here's the schedule: Irish Music live with Tony De Marco from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; brunch with July 4 specials until 4 p.m.; dinner with specials for fireworks until 11 p.m; bar menu until 2 a.m.; cocktail specials; a DJ from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. in the bar. The July 4 specials include housemade corn dogs ($13); griddled crab cakes ($24); BBQ pork spare ribs ($24); chipotle-orange pulled pork sandwich ($15); grilled New York strip steak ($25); homemade desserts (New York cheesecake; triple chocolate brownie; mixed berry crumble) ($8). For more information about The Paris Cafe, click here.


CALENDAR: Week of June 30
Last year's July 4 fireworks show on the Hudson River. (Photo: Terese Loeb Kreuzer)
July 4: The Howard Hughes Corporation is staging three days of free music and movies in the South Street Seaport (Also, July 5). For more information, click here.
 
July 4: Explore the military history of New York harbor aboard Classic Harbor Line's yacht, Kingston. The 2.5-hour tour takes in the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, the Brooklyn Army Terminal and the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Louis Kahn's Four Freedoms Monument on Roosevelt Island, the harbor forts on Governors Island and more. Place: Leaves from Chelsea Piers near 22nd St. Time: 2 p.m. Tickets: $68. (World War II veterans, free). Also on July 4 and July 5. For more informaiton and to buy tickets, click here.

July 4: On piers 15 and 16, there will be a "private party" sponsored by Macy's with food, non-alcoholic beverages and live music, with some of the proceeds benefiting the South Street Seaport Museum. Tickets: $275; $195 (South Street Seaport Museum members). To buy tickets,
click here.

July 4: The South Street Seaport Museum's 1885 schooner Pioneer will take 40 guests for a sail on the East River as the fireworks explode over the Brooklyn Bridge. The fully catered event will include beer, wine and hors d'oeuvres. Tickets: $325; $250 (South Street Seaport Museum members). To buy tickets, click hereTo become a member of the South Street Seaport Museum, click here.

July 4: View the fireworks from one of the jaunty, yellow New York Water Taxis or from Circle Line Downtown's plush yacht, the Zephyr. New York Water Taxi will offer hors d'oeuvres, a light buffet, dessert trays, soda, juice and water for $225 a person. A cash bar will also be available for beer and wine. The boat leaves from Pier 45, Hudson River Park, (Christopher Street and West Side highway), with boarding at 7:15 p.m. The Zephyr will serve hors d'oeuvres, a buffet dinner, dessert trays, soda, juice and water for $325 a person. A cash bar will also be available. The Zephyr leaves from Pier 25, Hudson River Park (between Franklin and North Moore Streets on the West Side highway) at 7:15 p.m. Both excursions will be approximately three and a half hours. For more information or to buy tickets, click here.     

July 4
Federal Hall National Memorial commemorates July 4 with music, a reading of the Declaration of Independence, meetings with George Washington (as depicted by a living history enactor) and talks by National Park Service Rangers on the causes of the American Revolution as well as how the news of the Declaration was received by various populations in New York. Place: 26 Wall St. Time: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. For more information, including program times, click here.  
 
July 4: Viewing sites for the July 4 fireworks: The fireworks can be seen from any area with an unobstructed view of the sky above the East River. The public viewing sections will be the elevated portions of FDR Drive with the following entry points in Manhattan:

Montgomery and South Streets: From the north (viewing along the FDR between Manhattan Bridge and Montgomery Street). Brooklyn Bridge entry from St. James Place (Pearl Street) and Wagner Place (viewing both north and south of the Brooklyn Bridge). Broad Street and/or Old Slip at Water Street (viewing between Heliport and south side of Brooklyn Bridge ADA viewing area: Murray Bergtraum High School track and field facility, at the base of the Manhattan Bridge. Use the entrance at Market & Cherry Streets. Note: Piers 15 to 17 are not public viewing areas.
 

July 5
: "Tugboats: Workhorses of New York Harbor," an exhibit of photographs by John Skelson aboard the Lilac, a historic lighthouse tender docked at Pier 25. Skelson's photographs document the powerful and colorful array of tugs that keep our harbor working. Opening party for the exhibit on Tuesday, July 8, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Cash bar. (Those under 21 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.) Exhibit runs through July 31. For more information about the Lilac, click here.

Ongoing: Poets House presents its 22nd annual showcase, a free exhibit featuring all of the new poetry books and poetry-related texts published in the United States in a single year from over 650 commercial, university, and independent presses. Through Aug. 16. Place: 10 River Terrace. Free. For more information, click here.

Ongoing: "From Drills to Drums: Civil War Life on Governors Island." A program for kids, who will see first hand the lives of soldiers, civilians and prisoners on the island in the 19th century. No tickets or reservations required, but large school or day camp groups should call (212) 825-3045. Every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Place: Governors Island. Time: 10:20 a.m. Also at 11:20 a.m. Free.

Ongoing: Hike Through History. The most comprehensive tour of Governors Island National Monument takes in nearly every highlight in the historic district. No tickets or reservations required. Visitors should be prepared to stand for a full 90 minutes and walk a distance of about 1.5 miles. Wednesdays to Sundays. Place: Governors Island. Meet at Soissons Dock. Time: 2 p.m. For more information, click here.
 
Ongoing: "A Town Known as Auschwitz" is an exhibit of photographs at the Museum of Jewish Heritage tracing the history of a town called "Oswiecim" in what is now Poland, where Jews and non-Jews lived side by side for centuries. When German forces occupied the town in September 1939, they renamed it "Auschwitz" and established a concentration and death camp there. More than 1 million people died at Auschwitz, including 90 percent of the town's Jews. The museum is at 36 Battery Place. For information the exhibit, click here. For information on the museum's hours and admission fees, click here.
 
Ongoing: Poets House in Battery Park City presents "A Painter and His Poets," the first major retrospective show of George Schneeman's collaborative paintings, collages, prints, and books, with portraits of his poet friends, spanning 40 years. "A sort of utopia in the visual field filled with pleasure, quickness and wit" is how Schneeman himself described his collaborative work with poets. Exhibition on view through Saturday, Sept. 20, during regular Poets House hours. Place: 10 River Terrace. Free. For information about Poets House, click here.

Ongoing: The South Street Seaport Museum's lightship Ambrose and its barque Peking welcome visitors Wednesdays to Sundays, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Pier 16 (on the East River at Fulton Street). The Ambrose, launched in 1908,  once guided large ships through the Ambrose Channel into New York harbor. Peking was launched in Hamburg, Germany in 1911, one of the last commercial sailing ships ever built. She was used to carry goods from Europe to South America and to return to Europe with nitrate. The museum's Visitors Services associates explain all of the fascinating details of the ships and their relevance to the history of New York as a port city. Cost: $12 (adults); $8 (students, 12-24 and seniors); $5 (children 2-11); under 2, free. To buy tickets, click here.

Ongoing: "Defining Lines: Maps from the 1700s and early 1800s" at the Fraunces Tavern
Museum. Twenty-seven maps provide a perspective on the evolving nation's place in history. A map from 1804, never before exhibited, shows the U.S. postal routes. Place: 54 Pearl St. Time: Noon to 5 p.m., daily. Admission fees: $7; $4 (seniors, students with ID, children, 6 to 8 years old. Children, 5 and under, free. Active military with ID, free. For more information, click here.
  
Ongoing: The National Museum of the American Indian is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with free admission. It offers free films, docent-led tours of its exhibitions and tours of its premises, the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House, designed by Cass Gilbert. The building, which was completed in 1907, is a National Historic Landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One Bowling Green. Phone: (212) 514-3700. For the museum's calendar, click here.



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Editor: Terese Loeb Kreuzer

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